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Beware of giant travelling fruit! Theatre 29 begins their 2022-23 season with the Roald Dahl classic, “James and the Giant Peach.”
The family-favorite musical will open Theatre 29’s wildly anticipated 2022-2023 season.
Theatre 29 and Director Katie Fleischman are thrilled to announce the cast of the highly anticipated first production of the upcoming season, “ROALD DAHL’S JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH.”
Based on the beloved 1961 children’s book, the musical playfully recreates Dahl’s coming-of-age story and features a wickedly groovy score from Tony-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach, human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, and a journey of enormous proportions.
Playing the role of James will be Liam Keeren, a Theatre 29 mainstage regular and Summer Youth Theatre alumnus. Portraying the magical storyteller Ladahlord is Noah Wahlberg, having graced the stage in recent Theatre 29 productions of “RAPUNZEL” and “MIS-CAST,” among other singing and acting credits. Cast in the roles of James’ comically wicked aunts Spiker and Sponge are Sabrina Olsen, seen recently in “MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS,” and Kat Cheek, who appeared in “CHRISTMAS CAROL” and “MIS-CAST.”
Portraying the infestation of insects is a motley crew of seasoned Theatre 29 veterans, including Andrew Perkins as the rough-and-tumble Centipede, Joseph Rego as the lovably skittish Earthworm, Chris Fleischman as the lighthearted, fleetfooted Grasshopper, Lisa Goldberg as the prim and proper Ladybug, and Emily Sheckler as the sweet and spunky Spider. The ensemble also features an impressive cast of mainstage regulars, including Jayme Bateman, Tyler Bateman, Cindy Daigneault, Catherine Inscore, and Isla Keeran.
“ROALD DAHL’S JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH” will run weekends at Theatre 29 from September 2nd through 18th with performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at theatre29.org or by calling (760) 361-4151.
Reporting for Z107.7, this is arts & entertainment reporter Charlie Thomas.
